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enHow Did the Grapefruit Get Its Name?http://mentalfloss.com/article/65242/how-did-grapefruit-get-its-name
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">filed under: <a href="/section/big-questions" class="author-writes-about-link">Big Questions</a>, <a href="/section/food" class="author-writes-about-link">Food</a>, <a href="/section/language" class="author-writes-about-link">language</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/istock_000033347398_small.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">iStock</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The first time I tried grapefruit I was six years old. Expecting a sweet, grape-flavored orange, I instead encountered a bitter, pulpy citrus fruit that required way too much hand-eye coordination to eat. Ever since, I’ve wondered <em>how the heck did grapefruit get its name?</em></p>
<p>As it turns out, it’s a relatively new designation. The first etymology is from an <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=j5IYAAAAYAAJ&amp;q=grape#v=onepage&amp;q=grape-fruit&amp;f=false" target="_blank">1814 book by John </a><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=j5IYAAAAYAAJ&amp;q=grape#v=onepage&amp;q=grape-fruit&amp;f=false" target="_blank">Lunan</a> where it was said to have the name because “of its resemblance in flavour to the grape.” Because it doesn’t, most scholars think that he was attempting to explain the origin of a name he ran across. The most popular belief is that it actually refers to the shape of the fruit—not the flavor. Grapefruits grow on the tree in clusters, which often are said to appear similar to grapes. But until the 19<sup>th</sup> century, grapefruits were either called “the forbidden fruit” or “Shaddocks,” a reference to the English ship commander who brought pomelo seeds (the grapefruit's ancestor) to the West Indies in 1683. It wasn’t until the 1800s that a Jamaican farmer coined the term “grapefruit.”</p>
<p>But few other languages make the link between grapefruits and grapes. In Romance languages, “grapefruit” usually shares the same name as its ancestor, the pomelo (<em>pompelmo</em> in Italian and <em>pampelmusa</em> in Spanish). Romanian is the only romance language to distinguish the two, using the Anglicism <em>grepfrut</em>. A few other languages have also adopted the American word “grapefruit,” even though they don’t have the same word for “grape,” such as Dutch (<em>grapefruit</em>), Swedish (<em>grapefrukt</em>), and Turkish (<em>greyfurt</em>). But this has led some etymologists, chiefly John Ciardi, to <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5411943" target="_blank">suspect that grapefruit</a> is also named after the pomelo. The pomelo’s scientific name is <em>citrus maxima</em>, which can reasonably be translated as "great-fruit," a reference to both the pomelo and the fruit’s size. After a few decades, that may have gotten corrupted into grapefruit.</p>
<p>Name aside, the origin of <em>citrus </em><em>paradisii</em> has been a mystery to historians for years. Grapefruit, first found in the West Indies in the 1700s, is the first citrus strain to originate in the Americas. The grapefruit is a cross between the pomelo and the orange. It’s unclear whether the fruit was a deliberate hybridization or a horticultural accident; most grapefruit haters believe the latter.</p>
<p>In America, grapefruit is a newbie to the produce aisle. It arrived in the U.S. in 1823 but was not immediately popular (for good reason) and didn’t become a commercial industry until 1885. The fruit became a household favorite in the 1940s, and today America is the second-largest producer and consumer of grapefruit in the world, after China.</p>
<p>Grapefruits aren’t just deceptive in their flavor—they’re also tricksters with their scent. According to a study by the Smell and Taste Institute of Chicago, men perceive women to be up to six years younger than they actually are when they catch a whiff of grapefruit scent. So even if you’re not a fan of the flavor, some grapefruit perfume or air freshener might be a worthwhile investment.</p>
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<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 17, 2015 - 9:30am</span></span>
</span>Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:30:00 +0000Hayley Harding65242 at http://mentalfloss.comJames McIntyre: The World’s Cheesiest Poethttp://mentalfloss.com/article/63823/james-mcintyre-worlds-cheesiest-poet
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">filed under: <a href="/section/food" class="author-writes-about-link">Food</a>, <a href="/section/poetry" class="author-writes-about-link">poetry</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/istock_000013563678_small.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>istock</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Once dubbed “The Worst Poet in History,” Scots-Canadian writer James McIntyre set a new standard for cheesy poetry. His dramatic verses celebrate the then-fledgling Canadian dairy industry, while also communicating his personal passion for fermented milk. (Even if you hate poetry—or, God forbid, cheese—it's hard not to be charmed by his enthusiasm.)</p>
<p>Before he was a poet, McIntyre was a man of many trades. This would-be Cheese Wiz was also a cabinetmaker, furniture dealer, and undertaker. <a href="http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/mcintyre_james_13E.html" target="_blank">Born in Scotland in 1828</a>, he immigrated to Canada in 1841. In the early 1860s, he became a prominent local poet with the Ingersoll Literary Society in southwestern Ontario. <em>The Toronto Post </em>even featured some of his poems, including classics such as the “Oxford Cheese Ode,” “Hints to Cheese Makers,” “Dairy Ode,” and “Father Ranney, the Cheese Pioneer.”</p>
<p>McIntyre would go on to publish two full collections. The most famous was <em>Poems of James McIntyre</em> (1889). Before that, there was 1884's <em>Musings on the banks of the Canadian Thames</em>, which included poems about local Canadian and British subjects, and musings on the great poets of England, Ireland, Scotland, and America, as well as the wars of Victoria’s reign. But the central theme of both books gets lost in the formal language of the day. For the most part, McIntyre wrote about his true love: dairy.</p>
<h4>Making Cheddar</h4>
<p align="left">McIntyre’s poems were about more than just his personal tastes: by writing about the region's foodstuffs, he hoped to stimulate the local economy. “As cheese making first began in this county and has already become the chief industry of many counties, it is no insignificant theme,” he wrote. “Now cheese is the principal article of export from the Province of Ontario.”</p>
<p align="left">In 1866, Ontario dairy farmers produced what was then the world’s largest block of cheese. It measured over 21 feet across and weighed 7300 pounds. McIntyre paid homage to this whopper in his two most famous poems: “Prophecy of a Ten Ton Cheese” and “Ode on the Mammoth Cheese.”</p>
<p align="left">“<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/james-mcintyre/prophecy-of-a-ten-ton-cheese/" target="_blank">Prophecy of a Ten Ton Cheese</a>” predicts the wonders that lie ahead:</p>
<blockquote><p align="left">Who hath prophetic vision sees<br />
In future times a ten ton cheese,<br />
Several companies could join<br />
To furnish curd for great combine<br />
More honor far than making gun<br />
Of mighty size and many a ton.</p>
</blockquote>
<p align="left">Yes, he does indeed rhyme “join” with “combine.” A few lines later, he also rhymes “one” with “span,” and “agog, so” with “Chicago.” </p>
<p align="left">The other poem, “<a href="http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poems/ode-mammoth-cheese-weighing-over-7000-pounds" target="_blank">Ode on the Mammoth Cheese</a>,” addresses the cheese directly. It begins:</p>
<blockquote><p align="left">We have seen thee, queen of cheese,</p>
<p align="left">Lying quietly at your ease,<br />
Gently fanned by evening breeze,<br />
Thy fair form no flies dare seize.</p>
</blockquote>
<p align="left">He then warns the cheese to “Beware of youths, for some of them might rudely squeeze and bite your cheek.” </p>
<p align="left"><span>Other odes in the collection provide handy life tips. In “Hints to </span><span>Cheese Makers</span><span>,” McIntyre offers the following words of wisdom: “Fatten pigs upon the whey, for there is money raising grease as well as in the making [of] cheese.” In “Cheese Curd for Bait,” McIntyre suggests that his readers—you guessed it—use cheese curd for bait.</span></p>
<p>Surprisingly, McIntyre's 19th-century readership ate this stuff up. One Mr. William Murray of Hamilton wrote that McIntyre had "an independent style begotten on Canadian soil.” And fan George McIntyre (no word on if he's related) expressed his gratitude in rhyme:</p>
<blockquote><p>My thanks I send,<br />
To him who in his hours of leisure those verses penned!</p>
</blockquote>
<p>McIntyre was so popular that he was often asked to speak at local events and gatherings.</p>
<h4>War of the Worsts</h4>
<p>McIntyre probably took his passion for cheese whey a little too far. But does he truly deserve the title of Worst Poet in History? Many critics argue that Scotland’s <a href="http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/" target="_blank">infamous William McGonagall</a> actually deserves this dubious honor.</p>
<p>“McGonagall is by far the worst poet in the English language,” <a href="http://www.bathroomreader.com/2013/09/chaucer-cheese-poet-james-mcintyre/" target="_blank">Scottish poet Don Paterson</a> has said. “He could write a bad poem about anything. This cheese guy may be a bad poet, but it seems he could write bad poetry about only one subject.”</p>
<p>McIntyre admirers emphatically disagree. They argue that while his dairy odes catapulted him to fame, the so-called "Chaucer of Cheese" had a broad repertoire. He composed thrilling epics about nature, such as “Fight with a bear in the northwest,” “Fight of a buffalo with wolves,” and “Wild goose shot at midnight November 1888.”</p>
<p>He also used poetry for political purposes. Via oh-so-subtle titles such as “Things Should Be Judged By Merit” or “Firearms Should be Banned,” McIntyre communicated his stance on contemporary issues. (Another topic of choice: serious life advice, such as his words of wisdom for unmarried gentlemen in "Lines Addressed to an Old Bachelor." He poses the question, "Tell me why my dearest wingle/With the fair do you not mingle?")</p>
<div>
<p>Indeed, McIntyre could cheese-ify just about anything. Although "The World's Worst Poet" is a pretty subjective title, it's safe to say that when it came to writing over-the-top verses, McIntyre was the cream of the crop. Check out his <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36068/36068-h/36068-h.htm#Page_71" target="_blank">full collection</a> here. </p>
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<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">May 12, 2015 - 1:00pm</span></span>
</span>Tue, 12 May 2015 17:00:00 +0000Rebecca OConnell63823 at http://mentalfloss.com15 Things You Might Not Know About Pennsylvaniahttp://mentalfloss.com/article/59011/15-things-you-might-not-know-about-pennsylvania
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field field-name-field-tag-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/mini-presented.png" width="217" height="30" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/istock_000025188012_small.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>istock</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><strong>1.</strong> William Penn, who established Pennsylvania after receiving a land grant from England's King Charles II in 1681, advertised his new colony as a haven for settlers seeking freedom from religious persecution. Penn pitched Pennsylvania as a “Holy Experiment”—a place of refuge for Quakers like himself, but also a place where other faiths were welcome. In addition to freedom of religion, Penn also experimented with universal education, a widened franchise (all men, not just property owners, were allowed to vote), an enlightened penal code, and no military. </p>
<p><strong>2. </strong> While Pennsylvania was founded by a famous Quaker, the state is also well-known for being home to another religious group: the Amish. There is a <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/02/25/172886170/a-computer-fit-for-the-amish" target="_blank">computer marketed</a> to Amish buyers, who traditionally eschew all modern technology, that has no Internet, no video, and no music. It only lets you do basic word processing, spreadsheets, and accounting.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> In the 1864, Pennsylvania religious community leader Peter Armstrong deeded 600 acres of land, known as the Celestia Religious Commune, to “Almighty God.” Unfortunately for Armstrong and the people of Celestia, who considered themselves "wilderness exiles," the land was seized by the state in 1876 because God <a href="http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/Celestia.html" target="_blank">neglected</a> to pay property taxes. Armstrong's son, A.T. Armstrong, bought the land, but Celestia as Armstrong envisioned it was done for.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> A man <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2000-01-28/news/25597822_1_cookie-firm-bread-baked-goods" target="_blank">terrorized a Pennsylvania supermarket for three years</a> by stealthily crumbling baked goods in their packaging. In 2000, after more than $8,000 worth of pastries had been mysteriously mutilated, the Davis Cookie Co. of Rimersburg, Pennsylvania, finally installed a<a href="http://articles.philly.com/2000-01-28/news/25597822_1_cookie-firm-bread-baked-goods" target="_blank"> hidden camera</a> and caught the cookie-crumbler red-handed.</p>
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<strong>5. </strong>Some real, colorfully named <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sharp/ridiculous-names-in-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">communities</a> in Pennsylvania include Cheesetown, Poorman Side, Bird-in-Hand, and Big Beaver. Raunchier-sounding towns include Blue Ball, Jugtown, Virginville, Climax, and Intercourse.</p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> Pennsylvania is misspelled on the Liberty Bell—it reads "Pensylvania." This is because the bell was manufactured before founders agreed on a <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/" target="_blank">common spelling</a> for the state's name.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> Punxsutawney Phil's winter prognostications are only accurate about 40% of the time.</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> The first-ever high school driver’s ed class in the U.S. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver's_education" target="_blank">took place</a> in 1935 in State College, Pennsylvania. While driving courses were common prior to this in the United Kingdom, it took Penn State professor Amos Neyhart to introduce driving instruction to American teens.</p>
<p><strong>9.</strong> <span>There is a place in Pennsylvania called </span><a href="http://www.gravityhill.com/" target="_blank">Gravity Hill</a><span> where gravity seems to have gone haywire. Water runs the wrong way and cars roll “uphill.” Experts believe the phenomenon is just an optical illusion, where the landscape tricks the eye into </span><a href="http://www.gravityhill.com/" target="_blank">perceiving an incline</a><span> where there is actually a decline.</span></p>
<iframe width="620" height="465" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VgO6QPEt4mo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p>
<strong><br />
10. </strong>A town in Pennsylvania has been on fire for over 50 years. In 1962, a mine fire started beneath the coal-mining town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia,_Pennsylvania" target="_blank">Centralia, Pennsylvania,</a> and it’s been burning ever since. Until recent years, the only visible signs of the underground fire were cracks in the ground where smoke and steam escaped. Even though their town has been burning for 50 years, residents of Centralia refuse to leave. When the state of Pennsylvania became concerned about Centralia's safety and claimed properties under eminent domain, residents protested. Ultimately, the government allowed them to remain. As of 2013, 7 people still lived there, making Centralia the least populated municipality in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p><strong>11. </strong><span>America’s first gas station was </span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2013/12/01/FILL-ER-UP/stories/201312010079" target="_blank">opened</a><span> in Pittsburgh in 1913.</span></p>
<p><strong>12.</strong> The world record for<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfe+585,_Senior" target="_blank"> longest name ever</a> used is held by a typesetter from Philadelphia. According to the 1978 edition of the <em>Guinness Book of World Records</em>: "The longest name used by anyone was Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvin John Kenneth Lloyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor William Xerxes Yancy Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff, Senior, who was born at Bergedorf, near Hamburg, Germany, on 29 Feb. 1904. On printed forms he used only his eighth and second Christian names and the first 35 letters of his surname. The full version of the name of 590 letters appeared in the 12th edition of the <em>Guinness Book of Records</em>."</p>
<p><strong>13.</strong> If you need some large-scale home improvements, come to Pennsylvania. The state is home to the world’s<a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/31261" target="_blank"> largest paint can</a> (in Shippensburg) and the world’s largest clothespin (in Philadelphia).</p>
<p><strong>14.</strong> Actor Jimmy Stewart was born and raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania. To pay homage to the star, each year at Christmas, the city's downtown is <a href="http://www.movoto.com/pa/pennsylvania-facts/" target="_blank">decorated</a> in the theme of his classic hit, <em>It's a Wonderful Life</em>.</p>
<p><strong>15. </strong>Pennsylvanians also celebrate Christmas each year by <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/WASHINGTONCROSSING/reenactment/index.htm" target="_blank">reenacting "Washington Crossing the Delaware</a>," Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's famous 1851 painting, at Washington Crossing near Philadelphia.</p>
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<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 6, 2014 - 12:34pm</span></span>
</span>Mon, 06 Oct 2014 17:02:42 +0000Rebecca OConnell59011 at http://mentalfloss.com15 Things You Might Not Know About Louisianahttp://mentalfloss.com/article/59012/15-things-you-might-not-know-about-louisiana
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field field-name-field-tag-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/mini-presented.png" width="217" height="30" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/istock_000023260036_small.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>istock</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><strong>1.</strong> La Louisiane, named for Louis XIV of France, became a French <a href="http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/latimeln.htm" target="_blank">colony</a> in 1682 and passed to Spain in 1763. It was ceded back to France in 1800 and became part of the United States following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.</p>
<p><strong>2.</strong> Louisiana might be the biggest bargain in American history. In 1803, the U.S. paid $15 million for the entire Louisiana Territory, 828,000 square miles of land that nearly doubled the size of our nation. Adjusted for inflation, that’s still incredibly cheap: $729 million. Considering this land accounts for roughly 12 percent of the U.S. GDP, it’s safe to say that the Louisiana Purchase was a <a href="http://mises.org/daily/6799/What-Is-the-Rate-of-Return-on-the-Louisiana-Purchase" target="_blank">solid investment.</a></p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> Louisiana is also known for its wacky legal system. Instead of using English common law like the other 49 states, Louisiana follows the system of most non-Anglophone countries. The legal system in Louisiana derives from the Civil Code established by Napoleon in 1804, which was combined with Spanish law and adopted by Louisiana in 1812.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> Up until 2007, professional wrestling was banned in Louisiana, under the sham contest provision.</p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> Louisiana is one of two states in the nation that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_(United_States)" target="_blank">doesn’t have</a> counties (the other is Alaska). Louisiana’s political subdivisions are called parishes (Alaska’s are called boroughs.)</p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> Louisiana has the <a href="http://www.visitbatonrouge.com/listing/Louisiana-State-Capitol/3285" target="_blank">tallest state capitol</a> building in the United States. The 34-story building measures 450 ft and was built in only 14 months.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> And just to clarify, the political capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge (not New Orleans!). But the Pelican State is home to several quirkier “unofficial” capitals. Rayne is known as “The Frog Capital of the World,” Gueydan is called “The Duck Capital of America,” and Breaux Bridge was dubbed “The Crawfish Capital of the World.” Church Point claims to be the “Buggy Capital of the World” and Mamou bills itself as “The Cajun Music Capital of the World.”</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> Although the terms “Creole” and “Cajun” often used loosely and interchangeably, they refer to two distinct ethnic groups. Cajuns trace their ancestry back to France. They descend from a group of colonists originally known as Acadians who settled in Canada in the 1600s, were expelled by the British, and resettled in the Louisiana swamplands, where the name “Acadian” got shortened to “Cajun.” Creoles, in contrast, are an ethnically diverse group. In the 18th century, Creoles consisted of the descendants of the French and Spanish upper class that ruled the city. But over the years, the term <a href="http://www.experienceneworleans.com/cajun.html" target="_blank">expanded</a> to include native-born slaves of African descent and free people of color. Today, the category “Creole” encompasses a wide variety of races and ethnicities—anyone of European, Caribbean, or African descent whose ancestors were born in Louisiana.</p>
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<strong>9.</strong> Cajuns and Creoles have distinct cooking styles. Creole cuisine was traditionally considered to be “city food” while Cajun cuisine was “country food.” Like the people, Creole cuisine is a blend of various cultures (including Italian, Spanish, African, German, Caribbean, Native American, and Portuguese) and uses a wider variety of ingredients and exotic spices. But perhaps the most notable difference is that Creole cuisine uses tomatoes, while Cajun food does not. So true Cajun jambalaya <a href="http://www.louisianatravel.com/articles/cajun-vs-creole-food-what-difference#sthash.nk4fPnHW.dpuf" target="_blank">would never</a> contain tomato.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong> Louisiana is home to the longest continuous bridge over water in the world: the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Composed of two parallel bridges, the causeway is 24 miles long and connects Metairie with Mandeville on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Pontchartrain_Causeway" target="_blank">North Shore.</a></p>
<p><strong>11.</strong> While Louisiana is known as the birthplace of jazz, it also claims to be the <a href="http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/arts/operahistory.html" target="_blank">birthplace</a> of the U.S. opera. America’s first documented opera performance took place in New Orleans in 1796. The show was a French-language comedy called <em>Sylvain</em>, by composer André Ernest Modeste Grétry.</p>
<p><strong>12.</strong> The Battle of New Orleans, which made Andrew Jackson a national hero, began the day before the Treaty of Ghent was signed. Jackson and his forces battled until January 8, 1815; the treaty wasn't ratified until February 18.</p>
<p><strong>13.</strong> New Orleans hosted its first Mardi Gras parade in 1837. The first floats <a href="http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html" target="_blank">appeared</a> 20 years later, in 1857.</p>
<p><strong>14.</strong> According to a <a href="http://www.ricelawmd.com/mardi-gras-did-you-know-it-is-illegal-to-wear-a-mask-in-new-orleans-but-there-is-an-exception/" target="_blank">New Orleans public ordinance</a>, it is "unlawful for any person to use or wear in any public place, a hood or mask or anything of the nature of either or any facial disguise of any kind or description, calculated to conceal or hide the identity of the person or to prevent ready recognition of such person." The exceptions? Those participating in religious or educational exhibitions, masquerade balls, or—you guessed it—participating in carnivals or parades during Mardi Gras. In fact, <a href="http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/news/news/mardi-gras-masks-are-tradition.html" target="_blank">float riders are required by law to wear masks</a>.</p>
<p><strong>15.</strong> New Orleans’s hotels rooms, which number in excess of 30,000, are usually <a href="https://suite.io/dawn-denmar/2xvt2y8" target="_blank">95% filled</a> during Mardi Gras weekend.</p>
</div></div></div><span class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden">
<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 5, 2014 - 5:01pm</span></span>
</span>Sun, 05 Oct 2014 21:01:00 +0000Rebecca OConnell59012 at http://mentalfloss.com15 Things You Might Not Know About Floridahttp://mentalfloss.com/article/59133/15-things-you-might-not-know-about-florida
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field field-name-field-tag-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/mini-presented.png" width="217" height="30" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/istock_000018866530_small.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>istock</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><strong>1.</strong> The first Thanksgiving might have actually been celebrated in Florida, not Plymouth. In <em>The Cross in the Sand</em>, historian Michael Gannon argues that a Spanish explorer celebrated a version of Thanksgiving with Timacua Indians in 1565—56 years before the first feast at Plymouth. Guests reportedly dined on<a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2007-11-20-first-thanksgiving_N.htm" target="_blank"> bean soup.</a></p>
<p><strong>2.</strong> In 1998, Florida passed a law requiring daycare centers to play at least one hour of classical music every day. The bill stemmed from the 1990s hype surrounding the "Mozart effect"—the belief that listening to Mozart would <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510075415.htm" target="_blank">boost</a> children’s intelligence. While one 1993 study seemed to support this hypothesis, more recent findings show that merely listening to Mozart's music produces no such cognitive enhancements.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> The Florida Department of Transportation has a<a href="http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-04-29/news/fl-road-ranger-gas-help-20110429_1_sunshine-towing-free-gas-gasbuddy-com" target="_blank"> fleet of service patrollers</a> known as “Road Rangers” that will bring you gas if you run out.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> In 1929, the Florida Keys built a <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/11/the-bat-tower-the-30-foot-monument-to-biological-pest-control-and-cross-species-design/265465/" target="_blank">30-foot-tall bat tower</a> to control mosquitoes. But even though architects doused the building with pheromone-infused guano as bait, not a single bat ever moved in. In fact, scientific records suggest that bats didn’t begin to inhabit the island until 1996.</p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> Florida has the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml" target="_blank">most</a> golf courses of any state—more than <span>1,250.</span></p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> Under the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act, it is illegal to molest, harass, disturb, or hug a manatee. In fact, a Florida father was once arrested after posting Facebook pictures of himself and his daughters <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/smart-news/touch-a-manatee-spend-six-months-in-jail-24670630/" target="_blank">playing</a> with a manatee.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong> In 1996, Miami installed the first ATM designed <a href="http://untappedcities.com/2013/04/25/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-miami/" target="_blank">specifically</a> for Rollerbladers.</p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> Venice, Florida, is known as the <a href="http://www.venice-fla.com/capital.htm" target="_blank">shark tooth capital</a> of the world. The city’s beaches are loaded with shark teeth, and collecting them has been a popular pastime of visitors and residents for decades.</p>
<iframe width="620" height="345" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YLa7zeheuFQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p>
<strong>9.</strong> In the mid-1800s, Florida tried to give away its<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/florida-the-heavyweight-champion-of-weirdness/2134176" target="_blank"> swampland</a> to anyone who promised to drain it or fill it. By 1883, the government had given away deeds to 17.5 million acres of wetland property—even though it only owned <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/florida/features/2013/oh_florida/what_makes_florida_weird_weather_people_tourists_foliage_greed.html" target="_blank">14.7 million acres</a>.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong> <span>While the Florida Everglades is often described as a swamp or a wetland, it is actually a </span><a href="http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/the-everglades/facts/" target="_blank">slow-moving river.</a></p>
<p><strong>11.</strong> Once a year, the city of Tampa is overtaken and captured by<a href="http://gasparillapiratefest.com/history.shtml" target="_blank"> pirates.</a> It’s all part of the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, an annual celebration to commemorate the legend of José Gaspar, a pirate who supposedly operated in Southwestern Florida.</p>
<p><strong>12.</strong> The oldest building in Florida is located in Miami Beach. The Cloisters of the Monastery of St. Bernard were built in Segovia, Spain in 1141 (700 years before any buildings were constructed in South Florida). In 1925, publisher William Randolph Hearst bought the building and <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=63zaTKGv7YIC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=florida+history+strange+facts&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=SDUjVOTXA4STyAT494LoDw&amp;ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&amp;q=florida%20history%20strange%20facts&amp;f=false" target="_blank">shipped the pieces</a> to Florida. After languishing in a warehouse for a few decades, the building was re-assembled at its present site in 1954.</p>
<p><strong>13.</strong> There is no place in Florida that is more than 60 miles from a<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=63zaTKGv7YIC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=florida+history+strange+facts&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=SDUjVOTXA4STyAT494LoDw&amp;ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&amp;q=florida%20history%20strange%20facts&amp;f=false" target="_blank"> body of salt water.</a></p>
<p><strong>14.</strong> Every year, thousands of people descend on Perdido Key, Florida, to toss mullets across the state line into Alabama. Sadly, mullets are a type of fish, not hair.</p>
<p><strong>15.</strong> Gatorade was named for the mascot of the University of Florida, where the drink was invented.</p>
</div></div></div><span class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden">
<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 5, 2014 - 1:43pm</span></span>
</span>Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:01:25 +0000Rebecca OConnell59133 at http://mentalfloss.com15 Things You Might Not Know About Alabamahttp://mentalfloss.com/article/59056/15-things-you-might-not-know-about-alabama
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field field-name-field-tag-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/mini-presented.png" width="217" height="30" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/istock_000001790161_small.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>istock</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><strong>1.</strong> Two Revolutionary War battles were fought in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mobile_(1781)" target="_blank">Mobile, Alabama</a> (which was called West Florida at the time). The first was the 1780 Battle of <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortcharlotte.html" target="_blank">Fort Charlotte</a>, during which Spanish supporters of colonial independence attacked and seized a British Fort near Mobile. The second standoff, known as the Battle of Mobile, occurred a year later when the British attempted to recapture Fort Charlotte but were quickly defeated.</p>
<p><strong>2.</strong><span> Mobile was </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/things-to-know-about-mobile-alabama-2013-6?op=1#ixzz3Dy68H332" target="_blank">settled</a><span> by the French in 1702. Six flags have flown over the city: France, Spain, Britain, the Republic of Alabama, the Confederacy, and the United States.</span></p>
<p><strong>3.</strong><span> Alabama was the </span><a href="http://www.history.com/topics/us-states/alabama" target="_blank">first state</a><span> to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1836.</span></p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> Alabama is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_beverages" target="_blank">only state</a> to have an alcoholic beverage as its official drink: Conecuh Ridge Whiskey.</p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> Alabama’s official state song is creatively titled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn5zHyn3Ujs" target="_blank">“Alabama.”</a> Written by Julia Tutwiler, the only female president of Livingston Normal College (now the University of West Alabama) and composed by <span>Edna Gockel-Gussen, it was adopted in 1931.</span></p>
<p><strong>6.</strong> In Alabama, it’s <a href="http://www.kapaun.org/pages/publications/journalism_site/wordpress/?p=13876" target="_blank">illegal</a> to dress up as a priest or other religious clergy member for Halloween. According to <a href="http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/alcode/13A/14/13A-14-4" target="_blank">Section 13A-14-4 of the Alabama Code</a>, "Whoever, being in a public place, fraudulently pretends by garb or outward array to be a minister of any religion, or nun, priest, rabbi or other member of the clergy, is guilty of a misdemeanor." Breaking the law could earn you a $500 fine and up to a year in jail.</p>
<p><strong>7.</strong><span> Bear wrestling is a Class-B </span><a href="http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/alcode/13A/12/1/13A-12-5" target="_blank">felony</a><span> in Alabama. In fact, the state legal code has an entire section that outlines different forms of “unlawful bear exploitation.”</span></p>
<p><strong>8.</strong> The visitors' locker room at Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium is named "The Fail Room" in honor of James M. Fail, class of '49.</p>
<iframe width="620" height="345" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YLa7zeheuFQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p>
<strong>9.</strong> Although New Orleans is the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/16/fact.check.mardi.gras/" target="_blank">modern-day hub</a> of Mardi Gras festivities, the first Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. actually took place in Mobile, Alabama, in 1703. Today, Mobile still has a <a href="http://www.toomeys-mardigras.com/moon-pies-and-stuff/" target="_blank">sizeable</a> Mardi Gras carnival with parades and parties. And as a local twist on a religious tradition, people on floats throw MoonPies into the crowd.</p>
<p><strong>10.</strong><span> Mardi Gras isn't the only holiday to star MoonPies. Mobile </span><a href="http://www.mobilenewyear.com/%20" target="_blank">also rings</a><span> in the New Year by lighting a 12-foot tall, 600-lb mechanical </span><a href="http://www.mobilenewyear.com/" target="_blank">MoonPie.</a></p>
<p><strong>11.</strong><span> The first 9-1-1 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama. To test the new system, Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite went to City Hall and called U.S. Representative Tom Bevill at the local police station. Accounts of the </span><a href="http://www.911dispatch.com/911/history/" target="_blank">call report</a><span> that Bevill answered with “Hello.” Then the two men exchanged greetings, hung up, and went to “have coffee and doughnuts.”</span></p>
<p><strong>12.</strong> Alabama is home to the Deep-Sea Fishing Rodeo, the largest fishing tournament in the world. The three-day event attracts over 75,000 spectators and features 30 categories, <a href="http://www.adsfr.com/" target="_blank">including</a> “Most Unusual Catch.” </p>
<p><strong>13.</strong> A store in Scottsboro, Alabama,<a href="http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/" target="_blank"> sells luggage</a> that has been lost by airlines. Not to worry—your suitcase won’t get snatched up the next time you fly. The Unclaimed Baggage Center sells items that remain unclaimed after the airlines have completed an extensive three-month tracing process to locate the owners. After that, bags are shipped to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where half the items are sold and half are donated to charity.</p>
<p><strong>14.</strong><span> NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is located in Huntsville, Alabama. Marshall contains laboratories and testing facilities, as well as one of the </span><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/about/visitor.html#.VB88_ytdWgo" target="_blank">greatest collections</a><span> of rockets and space memorabilia in the world. The Saturn V rocket, which was used to launch the Apollo 11 spacecraft that first landed on the moon, was designed at the Marshall Space Flight Center. It is also home of the U.S. Space Camp for kids.</span></p>
<p><strong>15.</strong> In Magnolia Springs, Alabama, the U.S. Postal Service delivers mail <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/07/mail-by-boat/3896137/" target="_blank">by boat.</a> It is the only year-round water delivery mail route in the country.</p>
</div></div></div><span class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden">
<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 5, 2014 - 12:01am</span></span>
</span>Sun, 05 Oct 2014 04:01:45 +0000Rebecca OConnell59056 at http://mentalfloss.comThe Time Abraham Lincoln and a Political Rival Almost Dueled on an Islandhttp://mentalfloss.com/article/12382/time-abraham-lincoln-and-political-rival-almost-dueled-island
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">filed under: <a href="/section/history" class="author-writes-about-link">History</a>, <a href="/section/presidents" class="author-writes-about-link">presidents</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/lincoln-shields-duel_6.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>On September 22, 1842, the Mississippi River levee in Alton, Illinois, was crammed full of spectators awaiting the results of a highly anticipated duel -- a smackdown between Abraham Lincoln and political rival James Shields. Only one man could emerge victorious. Onlookers held their breath in suspense as they spotted a boat approaching with a blood-soaked body draped over the bow.</p>
<p>It had all started where so many skirmishes do: the Illinois state legislature. Though at the time Lincoln was a Whig and Shields was a Democrat, the two politicians had an amicable relationship and worked together to address the state’s enormous debt problem.</p>
<p>The relationship cooled, however, when Shields became the State Auditor. He passed a number of controversial measures and even instituted a policy whereby the state stopped accepting its own paper money as payment of taxes and other debts.</p>
<p>Lincoln expressed his disapproval in the most professional, statesman-like fashion he could think of: by anonymously lampooning Shields in print. He began composing letters to a Springfield paper deriding Shields' character as well as his policies.</p>
<p>Poking fun at Shields wasn’t hard to do. He was notoriously pompous, vain, and a tad eccentric. Opponents dubbed him “an irresistible mark for satire.” Putting his infamously sarcastic wit to work, Lincoln created two fictitious characters -- Jeff and Rebecca -- who were unable to pay their debts because the state no longer accepted paper money.</p>
<p>He also poked fun at Shields' lack of romantic game. One letter, signed "Rebecca," quoted Shields as saying, “Dear girls, it is distressing, but I cannot marry you all . . . It is not my fault that I am so handsome and so interesting.”</p>
<p>Before sending his note off to the editor, Lincoln shared it with his soon-to-be-wife Mary Todd and her friend Julia Jayne. The two women contributed a few quips to Lincoln’s letter and even began writing memos of their own.</p>
<p>The letters soon became the talk of the town. Though Shields was generally well liked, people got a kick out of Lincoln’s hilariously spot-on satire. Shields, however, didn’t get the joke. Incensed, he contacted the paper’s editor and demanded to know “Rebecca’s” identity. The editor gave him Abe’s name – as per Lincoln’s instructions.</p>
<p>Upon learning the identity of his defamer, Shields decided to settle the matter by challenging Lincoln to a duel. Though Lincoln thought the whole thing was absurd, he knew that backing down from a duel was never the honorable thing to do.</p>
<h4>Duel Rules</h4>
<p>As the one who’d been challenged, Lincoln got to select the conditions of the duel. He had a grand old time conjuring up the most ridiculous set of circumstances possible. To begin with, he named the cavalry broadsword as the weapon of choice. (“I didn't want the d—-d fellow to kill me, which I think he would have done if we had selected pistols,” he later explained.)</p>
<p>Next, Lincoln decided that the duel should be held on an island across the Mississippi (dueling was illegal in Illinois). He also stipulated that the two men face off in the bottom of a 12-foot-deep pit divided by a wooden plank that neither man was allowed to cross.</p>
<p>These conditions gave the 6’4” Lincoln a serious advantage over his 5’9” opponent. Lincoln was sure Shields would back down.</p>
<p>Not the case.</p>
<p>On September 22, 1842, Shields arrived at the duel site near the city of Alton, ready to face any challenger who might be foolish enough to face him.</p>
<p>While the two men were gearing up to face off, one spectator noted how grave and serious Lincoln looked. “I’d never seen him look so long before making a joke, and began to believe he was getting frightened.” But all of a sudden, Lincoln reached up and casually sliced off a branch with his sword. Again, it was an effort to scare Shields into submission.</p>
<p>But his opponent’s impressive display of arm-span still didn’t deter the scrappy Shields. The duel was about to commence when a few mutual friends arrived and intervened. Colonel John Jay Hardin helped the two reach a face-saving compromise, working it out with words instead of swords. Lincoln offered up a mea culpa and admitted that he’d authored the letters.</p>
<p>Everyone standing on the levee was relieved (but probably a hair disappointed) to learn that the “body” on the boat returning from the island was really just a log in a red shirt – a simple prank set up by a mutual friend.</p>
<p>When the boat reached land, Lincoln and Shields stepped off together, chummily chatting away. Upon viewing spectators’ horrified reactions, they both broke into fits of laughter at how absurd the whole situation had been.</p>
<p>The two men buried the hatchet (or broadsword) and remained friends from then on. Lincoln wasn’t exactly proud that he’d almost dueled against a political opponent. In fact, he was pretty embarrassed. When an officer asked him about the event years later, he replied, “I do not deny it, but if you desire my friendship you will never mention it again.”</p>
<p><em>This post originally appeared in 2012.</em></p>
</div></div></div><span class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden">
<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 18, 2014 - 11:43am</span></span>
</span>Thu, 18 Sep 2014 16:11:38 +0000Julia Davis12382 at http://mentalfloss.com9 Tips for that James K. Polk Bash You’re Probably Planninghttp://mentalfloss.com/article/12972/9-tips-james-k-polk-bash-you%E2%80%99re-probably-planning
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">filed under: <a href="/section/history" class="author-writes-about-link">History</a>, <a href="/section/politics" class="author-writes-about-link">politics</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/James_Polk_restored_6.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/James_Polk_restored.jpg"></a><br /><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:James_Polk_restored.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></em></p>
<p>Looking for ways to go wild this weekend? Then think about throwing a big-time 217th birthday bash for one of America’s least known presidents of all time, Mr. James K. Polk, born November 2, 1795. Here are some hosting tips to get you started...</p>
<h4>1. Keep a low profile...</h4>
<p>We’ve all been to parties with an overbearing host who insists on being the center of attention. But your posh Polk party demands a self-effacing touch. Be the mysterious, shadowy host that blends into the background. Even at the height of his career, Polk was known for being unknown—particularly outside of the world of politics. In fact, in the 1844 election, Polk’s opponents alluded to his rival’s obscurity with one pithy campaign slogan: “Who is James K. Polk?”</p>
<h4>2. But be accessible.</h4>
<p>Polk may have been the most available president in United States history. Polk held presidential “office hours” twice a week, during which concerned citizens could drop by to chat. All you had to do was knock on the White House door, present your card to the doorman, and wait your turn. So when you host your posh Polk party, make yourself available to chat with your guests about any party-related questions or concerns. </p>
<!--more--><h4>3. WWJD?</h4>
<p>Polk was a big fan of Wacko Jacko (Old Hickory’s other, lesser-known nickname). In fact, Polk was probably the most Jacksonian president in history—even more devoted to Manifest Destiny than Andrew Jackson himself. Indeed, Polk oversaw the greatest territorial expansion of the United States to date: a one-third increase in land size. So whenever the stress of party planning seems like too much, ask yourself one simple question: What would Jackson do?</p>
<h4>4. No Drinking/Dancing/Cards Permitted...</h4>
<p>Polk’s wife Sarah was a devout Presbyterian who banned dancing, card games, and liquor at White House receptions. In deference to her unwavering convictions, music and dancing were suspended at the inaugural ball, then resumed after she and the president left. These rather strict limitations may sound like bad news for your bash. Look at it this way: You’ll save a ton on entertainment costs. But to ensure that your guests don’t stage a mutiny, you should probably make sure the food’s good. </p>
<h4>5. But You Can Play Oregon Trail.</h4>
<p>Remember that sick computer game from elementary school—the one where you had to survive a rough-and-tough wagon ride across the American countryside by fording rivers, hunting bison, and steering clear of dysentery? Without Polk, this groundbreaking diversion might not exist. Polk entered the presidency with the intention of putting an end to Britain’s claims to the Oregon Territory—hence the campaign slogan “54-40 or fight.” Thankfully, the U.S. never actually went to war. Through a combination of military threats and diplomacy, Polk arrived at a compromise with England that fixed the Oregon Territory’s boundary at the 49th parallel. Seeing as basically every form of merrymaking will be prohibited at your bash, you can at least entertain guests with their favorite childhood game. In fact, there’s even a newer 2011 iOS/Android version of this old classic. </p>
<h4>6. Break out the Brandy.</h4>
<p>Although drinking should be mostly prohibited at your bash, you should definitely break out a bottle of brandy as a tribute to Polk’s bad-assedness. At 17, Polk underwent an operation to have his kidney stones removed. Because anesthesia wasn’t available, Polk was awake during the entire surgery, with nothing but a bit of brandy to dull the pain. The procedure was a success; however, some historians suspect it may have left him sterile. </p>
<h4>7. Work Yourself to Death</h4>
<p>Polk may have been the hardest working president in history. In fact, he once declared, "No President who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.” Right from the get-go, Polk set out to achieve five major goals during the following four years: reestablish an independent treasury; lower the tariff; resolve the dispute with England over Oregon; acquire California; and annex Texas. After only one term, he’d accomplished his ambitious agenda. All that hard work came with a price, though. 53-year-old Polk died three months after leaving office—making his the shortest retirement of any American president. While Polk died of cholera, some historians have suggested that his years of non-stop working may have weakened his body and made him more vulnerable to infection. So be warned: Planning a posh Polk bash requires some serious stamina. </p>
<h4>8. Keep It Short and Sweet.</h4>
<p>James K. Polk solidified support among his divided Democratic party by promising he wouldn’t run again, thus giving other presidential hopefuls a shot at the presidency. Even despite calls for reelection in after a successful first term, Polk happily threw in the towel after his first four years were up—becoming the first U.S. president to voluntarily retire after one term. Follow Polk’s lead, and make sure your party doesn’t go on indefinitely. To ensure that guests don’t overstay their welcome, establish a non-negotiable end time. Believe it or not, invitees might be more apt to attend if they know they’ve got an excuse to curl up in bed at midnight with the latest episode of <em>The Walking Dead.</em> </p>
<h4>9. Keep It Understated.</h4>
<p>Polk is known as the dark horse president—a relative unknown who rose from obscurity to steal the nomination and later the election. Polk’s meteoric rise to fame was launched by intra-party tension. In 1844, the Democrats became embroiled in a nomination battle between former President Martin Van Buren (who’d lost reelection 4 years earlier) and Michigan senator Lewis Cass. While Van Buren won the most votes, he didn’t garner the required 2/3 majority to secure the nomination. When it became obvious that neither he nor Cass would be able to mobilize enough support, Polk was offered up as compromise candidate—a Jacksonian Democrat who supported the annexation of Texas. Polk went on to defeat Whig rival Henry Clay in the general election.</p>
<p>Channel Polk’s dark-horse appeal when planning your bash. Even thought your party may not be the flashiest rager on the block, it might offer an appealing alternative. Just make sure your bash does justice to the memory of the man historians call "America’s least-known consequential president." Because the only other tribute he’s got is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9SvJMZs5Rs">There Might Be Giants song</a>.</p>
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<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">November 2, 2012 - 9:00am</span></span>
</span>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:00:40 +0000Julia Davis12972 at http://mentalfloss.com8 People Who Played Presidential Candidates in Mock Debateshttp://mentalfloss.com/article/12677/8-people-who-played-presidential-candidates-mock-debates
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div><div class="field-group-format group_categories field-group-div group-categories categories speed-none effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-category-url field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">filed under: <a href="/section/politics" class="author-writes-about-link">politics</a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/romney-kerry_6.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Getty Images</p>
</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><em></em></p>
<p>You’ve probably heard that Barack Obama recruited Massachusetts senator and ketchup-magnate-by-marriage John Kerry to play Mitt Romney in mock debates. But Obama certainly isn’t the first president to fine-tune his skills through pseudo smackdowns. In fact, almost every presidential candidate in recent years has hired a surrogate sparring partner. Here are 8 all-star stand-ins and the politicians they portrayed.</p>
<h4>1. Television Monitor as Jimmy Carter (1976)</h4>
<p>Gerald Ford staged the first full-scale practice sessions in 1976. Ford had a few different people play his opponent, Jimmy Carter. But when a human sparring partner wasn’t around, Ford used a television monitor to play sound bites from Carter’s interview with <em>Meet the Press</em>. Mock panelists asked the monitor questions, and Carter’s pre-taped response would play back. To practice looking confident, Ford was supposed to gaze forcefully at his TV opponent during the replays.</p>
<h4>2. Samuel Popkin as Ronald Reagan (1980)</h4>
<!--more--><p>At first, Jimmy Carter thought the notion of practicing with a “dummy opponent” was nuts. But the incumbent president softened his stance when he was forced to square off with show business veteran Ronald Reagan.</p>
<p>Carter hired political science professor Sam Popkin to play ol’ Dutch. Popkin studied Reagan’s rhetoric extensively and devised a strategy memo for outwitting him called “Popping Balloons.” Popkin told Carter if he couldn’t beat one of Reagan’s stories with a fact, he should try to beat it with another story. He also tried to familiarize Carter with his opponent’s folksy oratory style by recycling old Reagan speeches during debates.</p>
<h4>3. David Stockman as Jimmy Carter/Walter Mondale (1980 and 1984)</h4>
<p>Eager to master the art of full-scale debate rehearsal, Ronald Reagan had his garage converted into a professional quality television studio and hired congressman David Stockman to stand in for Jimmy Carter. The practice proved helpful, helping to familiarize the veteran actor with a debate format . . . and landing Stockman a job as budget director once Reagan was elected.</p>
<p>But in 1984, all that practice backfired. Reagan’s team believed Mondale would be a scrappy fighter, so they encouraged Stockman to really bully the president during mock debates. Stockman’s brow beatings destroyed the president’s confidence – to the point where his wife asked, “What have you done to my husband?” After a rough first debate, the Reagan campaign staged a pep rally at the president’s Kansas City hotel to boost his spirits before the second face-off. Reagan rebounded – and ended up winning 49 out of the 50 states.</p>
<h4>4. Fred Thompson as Bill Clinton (1996)</h4>
<p>Bob Dole hired former actor Fred Thompson to fill the shoes of Bill Clinton. A fellow Southerner, Thompson could replicate Clinton’s raspy drawl with astounding accuracy. And when it came to attacking Dole, Thompson didn’t pull any punches. “I tried to beat him down!” Thompson once told NPR. “If you can generate a bit of hostility, that’s a good thing.”</p>
<h4>5. Bob Barnett as George H.W. Bush/ Dick Cheney (Many Times)</h4>
<p>This Washington D.C. attorney played a Republican rival in five campaigns – filling in for George H.W. Bush in 1984, 1988, and 1992 and Dick Cheney in 2000 and 2004.</p>
<p>Barnett’s relentless baiting drove his mock opponents crazy. During his 1984 practice debates with Geraldine Ferraro, the vice presidential hopeful often became so irritated with Barnett that she walked over and slugged him on the arm. And after grueling 1992 debate preparations, Bill Clinton said, “I was just so glad I didn’t have to debate [him]. The election might have turned out differently.”</p>
<h4>6. Judd Gregg as Al Gore/John Kerry (2000 and 2004)</h4>
<p>New Hampshire senator Judd Gregg acted as Democratic doppelgangers in 2000 and 2004. For Gregg, playing Gore was a piece of cake. He claimed that the then-vice president was mechanical, scientific, and uber-predictable. But he had a tougher time playing Kerry. He maintained that the notoriously flip-flopping senator was hard to pin down because he went in a few different directions when he spoke.</p>
<p>But regardless of whom he was playing, Gregg’s job was to push George Bush’s buttons – and he was good at it. On one occasion in 2000, Gregg’s relentless bushwhacking (no pun intended) sent the presidential hopeful over the edge. Bush became flustered and started angrily repeating the same points in a raised voice. Worried that the pseudo sparring match had gotten too real, an aide stopped the debate to let things cool down.</p>
<h4>7. Greg Craig as George W. Bush/John McCain (2004 and 2008)</h4>
<p>In the past two elections, Democrats called on Washington lawyer (and former White House counsel) Greg Craig to prep presidential hopefuls to face-off with Republican rivals. Craig was no stranger to controversial debates – he won an acquittal for John W. Hinckley, Jr., the man who attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. Moreover, Craig directed the team defending Clinton against impeachment following the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The powerhouse attorney was no Dana Carvey; he didn’t mimic his doppelgangers’ body language or accents. Instead, he focused on suffocating his pseudo-opponents with airtight logic.</p>
<h4>8. Rob Portman as Half the Democratic Party (1996-)</h4>
<p>For years, Ohio congressman Rob Portman has been the GOP’s go-to guy for getting inside the heads of Democratic rivals. Since 1996, Portman’s filled the shoes of Al Gore, Joe Lieberman, John Edwards, Barack Obama, and even Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>Portman had an uncanny ability to capture the mannerisms of the candidates – right down to subtle body movements and vocal pauses. Republicans claimed he magically “became Barack Obama” during the 2008 practice debates with John McCain. Rick Lazio, who ran against Clinton for the Senate, remarked on his astounding ability to channel the first lady – even without a wig or makeup. And Joe Lieberman jokingly referred to Portman as his alter ego. Lieberman once said, "I've tried on occasion when I couldn't make it to a speaking engagement to send Rob Portman."</p>
<p><b><em>And Three All-Star Vice-Presidential Stand-ins</em>...</b></p>
<h4>Jennifer Granholm as Sarah Palin</h4>
<p><img src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/granholm-palin.jpg" alt="" title="granholm-palin" width="500" height="275" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-144021" /></p>
<p><em>Getty Images</em></p>
<p>Tina Fey and Julianne Moore aren't the only women to portray Sarah Palin onstage. Michigan governor and fellow beauty pageant winner Jennifer Granholm helped Joe Biden practice debating the Alaska governor in 2008. Granholm studied Palin nonstop. To get in character, she wore glasses and a red suit. But did she go the extra mile and try her hand at that famously folksy Alaska accent? You betcha.</p>
<h4>Randy Scheunemann as Joe Biden</h4>
<p>To prep Palin for the 2008 vice presidential debates, neoconservative lobbyist Randy Scheunemann played Joe Biden. He really got into character – so much so that Palin could barely keep a straight face. Scheunemann peppered his performance with frequent mentions of “God love ya” and “literally.” He also copied Biden’s loquacious speaking style, going on rants about everything from gun control to his own mother.</p>
<p>But while Palin was certainly convinced by her faux-opponent’s performance, she kept accidentally calling him “O’Biden.” That’s when Scheunemann suggested that she take a folksy approach and start calling him “Joe.” </p>
<h4>Dennis Eckart as Dan Quayle</h4>
<p>Former Ohio Congressman Dennis Eckart had a lot in common with the then-vice president. Both were young, telegenic Midwesterners who loved golf. Eckart joked that he got into character by spending hours at the Congressional Country Club. Once he even went through a mock debate with a golf tee stuck behind his ear. Eckart, a former college actor, said he loved “getting into the head” of people he played. But when reporters asked him what he found inside Quayle’s head, he answered, “Room to maneuver.”</p>
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<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 1, 2012 - 11:42am</span></span>
</span>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:42:52 +0000Julia Davis12677 at http://mentalfloss.comA Dunder Mifflin Tour of Scrantonhttp://mentalfloss.com/article/12584/dunder-mifflin-tour-scranton
<div class="field-group-format group_meta field-group-div group-meta speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-enhanced-authors field-type-computed field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/authors/julia-davis">Julia Davis</a></div></div></div></div><div class="primary-image">
<img src="http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/office-alfredos-e1348166051412_6.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="" /> </div><div class="field-group-format group_image_credit field-group-div group-image-credit speed-fast effect-none"><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a Mecca of sorts for fans of <em>The Office</em>, playing home to the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and the lovable cast of characters that work there. While the show is actually filmed in California, there are plenty of references to Scranton hangout spots sprinkled throughout the script. To see if these <em>Office</em>-endorsed locales are all they’re cracked up to be, I ventured on a tour-de-Electric City, Michael Scott-style.</p>
<h3>Places that actually exist</h3>
<h4>Alfredo’s Pizza Café</h4>
<p>In the episode “Launch Party,” Michael tries to win over his disgruntled employees by ordering takeout from their favorite pizzeria. Unfortunately (and predictably), he screws up. Instead of ordering from the delectable and popular Alfredo’s Pizza Café, he orders from Pizza by Alfredo’s — an eatery famous for cranking out pizza that tastes “like eating a hot circle of garbage,” in Kevin’s assessment.</p>
<p>While Pizza by Alfredo’s is fictional, Alfredo’s Pizza Café is a real restaurant in Scranton. It’s a classic sit-down Italian eatery that serves up a variety of salads, sandwiches, and pastas. To see if the pizza is truly the best slice in Scranton, I ordered a piece of thin crust for review. Friends and I collectively agreed that it was not like eating a hot circle of garbage, but perhaps not worth $2.25 a slice.</p>
<!--more--><h4>Chili’s</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142531" title="office - chilis outside" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/office-chilis-outside-e1348165943792.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="420" />Michael Scott’s favorite restaurant will be forever memorialized in the minds of <em>Office</em> fans. It was the site of the Dundee’s award ceremony — when Pam got plastered and banned from the franchise. It’s also the location of Michael and Jan’s infamous first kiss following their antic-filled meeting with a crazy client played by Tim Meadows.</p>
<p>There isn’t actually a Chili’s in Scranton. However, people who want their baby back (baby back, baby back) ribs can find one just a fifteen-minute drive away in nearby Wilkes-Barre. The restaurant is. . . well, just like any other Chili’s.</p>
<h4>Cooper’s Seafood</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142530" title="coopers" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/coopers-e1348165908802.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="474" /></p>
<p><em>The Office </em>name-drops Coopers about as often as Michael Scott makes a “that’s what she said” joke. And in the episode “Business Ethics,” Michael actually takes Holly there. In the typically absurd scene, he gestures wildly with a crab claw as he discusses whether he should report Meredith for sleeping with a client in exchange for steak coupons.</p>
<p>The real Cooper’s is a popular Scranton seafood house modeled after a pirate ship. When I stopped by, the restaurant was hopping — crowded and pleasantly noisy, punctuated by the odor of salty fish. The eatery is divided into several rooms, including the ship’s pub, the lighthouse bar, the tiki bar deck, the whale room, the train room, the original pub, and the private coral room. There’s also a gift shop that offers a hodgepodge of lobster shot glasses, Dunder Mifflin-themed paraphernalia, and fish puppets. If you’re ever in Scranton on your birthday, Cooper's will treat you to a free meal.</p>
<h4>Electric City signs</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142528" title="office - electric city" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/office-electric-city-e1348165785315.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="420" /></p>
<p>In the episode "The Merger," Michael and Dwight make a rap video called “Lazy Scranton” to introduce their out-of-town colleagues to the Electric City. In the immortal words of Mr. Scott, “They call it that cuz of the electri-City.”</p>
<p>Well, sort of. Scranton is indeed called the Electric City. That’s because America’s first electric-operated trolley system was developed there in 1886. While the line is no longer in commission, the nickname stuck. There’s a huge Electric City sign downtown that lights up at night, as well as a colorful mural next to the overpass on the way into Scranton.</p>
<h4>Froggy 101 Radio Station</h4>
<p>Dwight’s a big fan of this country music station. He’s even got a Froggy 101 bumper sticker on his desk. There was also a Froggy 101 sticker on the desk of Michael’s boss during his stint at the telemarketing company.</p>
<p>The real Froggy 101 is a popular Scranton-based country-western station. I figured a drive to <em>Office</em> country wouldn’t be complete without tuning in to good ol’ 101.3FM to pump some beats. In the half-hour or so that I listened to the station, DJ Crockett played a nice mix of mainstream and countrified artists — Rascal Flatts, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, and Dierks Bentley. And of course, Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”</p>
<h4>Lackawanna Coal Mine/Anthracite Heritage Museum</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142533" title="office - lackawanna coal mine" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/office-lackawanna-coal-mine-e1348166174922.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="612" /></p>
<p>Michael and Dwight’s infamous “Lazy Scranton” rap video features footage of the Anthracite Heritage Museum. And in the episode “Healthcare”, Michael considers taking his staff on a tour of the Lackawanna coal mines after promising them an exciting but unspecified surprise.</p>
<p>The Anthracite Heritage Museum is a real exhibit in Scranton. It commemorates the workers of the coal mining and textile industries -- which formed the economic backbone of northeastern PA . The museum features old mining tools, replicas of miners’ homes, and real mine cars. And if that’s not enough, there are coal mine tours just down the road. The tour takes viewers 300 feet underground into a mineshaft, where a “miner” guide shares anecdotes about the history of anthracite coal mining. (I arrived too late to take a tour but just in time to play on the coal mine trucks without getting kicked out by security.)</p>
<h4>Poor Richard’s Pub</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142534" title="office - poor richards" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/office-poor-richards-e1348166221688.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="420" /></p>
<p>It’s probably the most famous hangout spot for <em>The Office</em> gang, mentioned in multiple episodes as a favorite happy-hour destination. In the episode “Cocktails", the crew heads to Poor Richard’s, where the staff is on a first-name basis with Meredith. Pam tells Roy that she kissed Jim, prompting him to trash the bar with his brother in a drunken rage.</p>
<p>While the scene was filmed at Pickwick’s Pub in California, the real Poor Richard’s is located inside a bowling alley teeming with kids and birthday balloons. But the bar itself is not as family-friendly. It’s small and dark with several tables, an arcade machine, and a few dartboards. When I stopped by on a Saturday at 6 p.m., the pub only had two customers, both middle-aged men.</p>
<h4>Steamtown Mall</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142535" title="office - steamtown mall 3" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/office-steamtown-mall-3-e1348166298689.jpg" alt="" width="559" height="662" /></p>
<p>In “Women’s Appreciation,” Michael celebrates his office gal pals by taking them to Scranton’s premier shopping site: the Mall at Steamtown. After they help him work out his relationship problems with Jan, he treats them each to one item from Victoria’s Secret.</p>
<p>While the episode was filmed at a mall in Los Angeles, there is a Steamtown Mall in Scranton — and it embraces its role as the center of <em>Office</em>-Mania. There’s a large display featuring cardboard cutouts and <em>Office</em> memorabilia in one of the mall’s windows. The elevator is embossed with a huge picture of a Dwight Schrute bobblehead: Rainn Wilson is an honorary safety guard there.</p>
<h3>Places that used to exist</h3>
<h4>Farley’s Pub</h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-142536" title="office - farleys" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/office-farleys-e1348166378399.jpg" alt="" width="559" height="300" /></p>
<p>In the episode “Basketball,” the losers of the game between the warehouse guys and the office guys have to buy the winners dinner at Farley’s.</p>
<p>The real Farley’s was a popular pub in downtown Scranton. After the show became famous, Farley’s added a special Michael Scott burger to the menu. Sadly for <em>Office</em> fans (and Scrantonites), the iconic bar closed earlier this year.</p>
<h4>The “Scranton Welcomes You” sign</h4>
<p>This sign is featured prominently in the opening credits. It used to be located on the Central Scranton Expressway. But a few years ago, city officials decided to retire the sign and replace it with a new one. The old sign is currently hanging out at the Steamtown Mall, where <em>Office</em> aficionados can bask in its presence.</p>
<h3>Places that are totally made up</h3>
<h4>Hooters</h4>
<p>It’s another culinary staple for Michael Scott. In the episode "The Secret", he treats Jim to lunch there on the corporate account and cleverly orders a chicken breast – hold the chicken.</p>
<p>But while the restaurant chain plays a big role in <em>The Office</em>, there isn’t actually a Hooters in Scranton. The nearest one is over an hour away, making it an unlikely lunch-break destination for true Scrantonites.</p>
<h4>Benihana</h4>
<p>To help him get over a bad breakup with Carol, Andy takes Michael to the so-called “Asian Hooters” to help him drown his sorrows in sake shots.</p>
<p>While it made for a great Christmas episode (aptly titled “a Benihana Christmas”), there isn’t actually a Benihana in or near Scranton. The closest one is in New Jersey.</p>
<h4>Scranton Business Park</h4>
<p>Located at 1725 Slough Avenue, the location of Scranton’s most viable business ventures – Dunder Mifflin, Vance Refrigeration, and others – doesn’t actually exist. Slough is actually the name of the town where the British <em>Office</em> takes place.</p>
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<span class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 20, 2012 - 12:18pm</span></span>
</span>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:18:47 +0000Julia Davis12584 at http://mentalfloss.com